Applications for Indefinite Leave

Most visa categories give visa holders the opportunity to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) once you have completed a certain period of residence in the UK in a visa category.

You can obtain indefinite leave to remain in the UK having completed residence in one of the following categories:

Former work permit holders – 5 years

Tier 2 (General) which can include period spent as a work permit holder – 5 years

Tier 1 (Investor) – 5 years or accelerated route after

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – 5 years or accelerated route after

Settlement visas – 5 years

10 years continuous lawful period of residence in the UK, which can be combination of different visa categories

Former discretionary leave to remain – 6 years

Asylum – 4 years

Ancestry visa – 5 years.

The majority of applications for indefinite leave to remain require you to pass the Life in the UK test and meet the knowledge of English language requirement. There are some exceptions to this requirement.

Recent Updates

Most visa categories give visa holders the opportunity to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) once you have completed a certain period of residence in the UK in a visa category.
You can obtain indefinite leave to remain in the UK having completed residence in one of the following categories:

Former work permit holders – 5 years

Tier 2 (General) which can include period spent as a work permit holder – 5 years

Tier 1 (Investor) – 5 years or accelerated route after

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – 5 years or accelerated route after

Settlement visas – 5 years

10 years continuous lawful period of residence in the UK, which can be combination of different visa categories

Former discretionary leave to remain – 6 years

Asylum – 4 years

Ancestry visa – 5 years.

The majority of applications for indefinite leave to remain require you to pass the Life in the UK test and meet the knowledge of English language requirement. There are some exceptions to this requirement.